Dell challenges Psion’s ‘netbook’ trademark

More information concerning Psion, the company that trademarked the word “netbook” back in 2000. You’ll recall that the company sent out cease and desist letters to certain sites that used the term “netbook” and even got Google to remove “netbook” campaigns from its Ad Words advertising program. Guess who’s not too happy about all this? Dell.

Psion claims that it began offering laptop computers under the mark Netbook in approximately 1999.

Upon information and belief, Psion is not currently offering laptop computers under the Netbook trademark.

Upon information and belief, Psion intends not to resume bona fide use of the Netbook name in the ordinary course of trade.

Psion has abandoned the “Netbook” mark.

Fraud was also cited, as a senior product manager for Psion apparently claimed that the company had been actively using the term for its notebook computers even though it had not. “Genericness” was another reason – Dell claimed that many companies (Dell, HP, Lenovo, Aver, ASUS, Sony, Sylvania, Samsung, MSI, LG, and Fujitsu) have all been making netbooks and, as such, the term has become generic.

According to the documents, the status of Psion’s trademark application is “Cancellation Pending,” so it appears the term will soon be fair game.

Dear Sir/Madam,Psion Teklogix’ “NETBOOK” trademark is now the subject of a Petition for Cancellation[1] filed by Dell Computer, Inc. on the basis of:

* Abandonment * Genericness and * Fraud

Accordingly we believe that it is inappropriate that a ban be maintained on a term over a trademark which is now clearly unenforceable, knowing that many businesses (including Google’s) are being harmed the entire time this ban is in effect.